HEARTBREAKING: Strictly star opens up about suffering heartbreaking miscarriage on set
The Stacey Slater actress shares three children with her husband Matt Kay
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 star Lacey Turner has opened up about suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage on the set of EastEnders.
The Stacey Slater actress on the BBC soap is one of 15 famous faces taking on Strictly this year. With five new pro dancers and new hosts, Strictly returned on Saturday night (September 19).
During the pre-recorded launch show, viewers learned that Lacey will be taught the art of dance by fan favourite pro Vito Coppola. Vito famously won the competition in 2023 with Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach.
Away from the cameras, Lacey shares two daughters, Dusty and Gipsy, and son Trilby with her husband Matt Kay, who she married back in 2017. Welcoming Gipsy into the world in January last year, Lacey was soon back in work the following month for EastEnders 40th anniversary live episode.
Sadly, Lacey suffered two miscarriages, seven weeks into her pregnancy in October 2017 and March 2018, before welcoming her first child. In a new interview with Prima, Lacey revealed that it took her years to ‘speak up’ about the experience.
“I had two miscarriages before my children were born. I had a miscarriage on the set of EastEnders. I had become so matter of fact about the subject because I just carried on.
“Looking back, it’s quite sad to know I reacted in such a way. Everyone was so supportive when I told them, and now, I’ve learned to be more in tune and speak up,” she said.
Lacey went on to shine a light about her return to work after she became a mum. She admitted that she sneaked Dusty onto the set of the BBC soap.
She recalled: “I smuggled my newborn daughter onto the EastEnders set. I don’t think I was allowed, but I wanted to get stuck back in, so she was partly raised by cast members, assistant directors and makeup artists.
“It was lovely to be able to go back to work and have her by my side, which is rare. The world is not set up for mothers to be able to do that.”
EastEnders fans have endured nearly a year without Lacey on the soap. Stacey was last seen moving to Brazil with her youngest children, Hope and Arthur, after her brother Sean Slater offered her a job as a waitress.
Discussing a potential return to Albert Square, Lacey said: “I genuinely love EastEnders and working, so I thought I would get bored during this break, but it’s been so lovely.
“Will I come back to EastEnders? It will always have my heart and will be a big part of me. I love the show. I miss Stacey, so one day, I hope to go back, but when that is, I’m not sure. I just hope they don’t kill her off!”
Lacey made her Albert Square debut all the way back in 2004, going on to become a firm fan favourite on EastEnders. She’s appeared in nearly 2,000 episodes over a period of 21 years.
